No... I don't WANT to be a woodworker... I AM a woodworker....

While I am frustrated at the comment that was made to me and I realize that connotation is lost in writing sometime… Know that I take it all in stride and laugh.

So… I had a comment made to me. I guess it was more of a question. “So… you think you want to be a woodworker?”. At first I hesitated because I felt like it was not really a real question and more just someone taunting me. Yes. this person is a man. But I don’t feel like most men are like him. My response… “No”. He looked at me a bit puzzled and as he started to make his next comment I replied… “I DID want to be a woodworker… but now…I AM a woodworker.” I went on to tell him that I always dreamed of doing this and that over the last year I actually made it happen. The response I got was a roll of the eyes. LOL

So the conversation did continue and I realized that the reason I was asked the question in that way was because this person wanted me to make them something. LOL! Not the best approach. :) I guess he thought that if he made me feel like I was not a ”real” woodworker that I’d feel challenged and then feel a need to prove myself and commit to something before I thought about it. This person wants me to make them a guitar. I laughed! Just because I am a woodworker… doesn’t mean I can make ANYTHING that is made out of wood. And it doesn’t mean I think I’m as talented as any other guy out there. I know my limitations. There are certain things I can’t do… YET! And there are things that I don’t even want to do.

For example… I have no desire to do any kind of wood carving. Or intarsia. Not interested. I think they are totally cool and love to look at others work. But it’s not something I’m interested in making myself. And there are other things that I just can’t do yet. As I do more and more projects my skills will build and I will venture out to more and more things. A guitar??? I think that takes some skills that I do not yet have. And… I don’t know if I want to make a guitar. I’m not doing this to make a living at it. So it is something that I enjoy and I get to choose what I make.

I just think it is funny that this guy thought he could question me that way in order to get me to do what he wanted. But it takes more than that to offend me. And my answer to him was very nice. This guy is an excellent musician. Best voice I ever heard and he is great on the guitar as well. So I told him that the kind of guitar that he’d like and want was something out of my reach at this time. He suggested a class. I told him that if he was willing to pay for the class, the materials and my time… I would certainly think about it. He still sounded interested in me making one for him. Of course… I think that it would be a wiser investment to just spend that money on a nice one. But he still insisted he wanted me to make one. We’ll see if he still feels that when he finds out how much it would cost.

So… I definitely know that my work is not that of a find craftsman who has been doing it for years. But I do have a passion for woodworking. This is not a temporary ride to see if I like it. This is something that I plan on always doing. It’s not something I see as a career. Yeah, I’d like to make some things and sell them. But that’s mostly so that I can buy more tools and more wood. And so that I can get to make more and more things. Eventually… I’ll run out of places for the things I make. LOL.

So… NO… I don’t want to be a woodworker… I AM a woodworker!And I love it!!!!

I think you got this guys number! Every woodworker has a skill level that experience dictates. Some are masters and some are not. some make birdhouses and some make fine furniture. And it’s up to the woodworkers to chose what their expertise is. I’m sure if you asked him to make you a record album singing songs that sound just like Bruce Springsteen Elvis or Madonna he would come up with an excuse and maybe see your point. You ARE a woodworker and one with insight!

-- Tony C St Augustine FL, My high school shop teacher said "You can do it"... Now I can't stop!

I once worked for a man who was highly skilled woodworker. He did make a guitar, and often played it out in front of the shop. I guy walks up and asks to play it, he did and played it well. Afterwards he asked my boss where he got it and who made it all that. After learning he was talked to the maker he asked how much would it cost to have one made. $10,000 was the answer. He replied that it was less than he expected. Don’t know if he ever came back and ordered one or not. Some rock and some blues guitarists have made their own guitars, Junior Brown (Rockabilly) comes to mind. I guess that makes them woodworkers too.

Maybe he thought that if YOU made him a guitar, it would cost LESS than if a MAN made it for him! (You know, all that “political correctness” about women making less then men for the same jobs and all that BS)

And I agree with Monte.. tell him you got about a hundred “Big Brothers” that’ll pound him if he gives you any crap :-)

And yes… I’ve actually asked him to sing certain songs that the reply was… “that’s not in my range”. Which was because he has a deep voice and can’t do the higher pitches. So yeah… I guess maybe I should ask him if he wants to be a musician… or a singer…. LOL!

Makes ya wonder if some folks don’t understand that words MEAN something.Might have been said in jest, but the connotation is demeaning at best and stupid at the worst.You go girl/lady/woman/WOODWORKER.Bill

Angie, Some men are just jerks. This was his way of flirting (by putting you down). I wouldn’t give him the time of day after the way he talked to you. As the father of two young women I think you let him off easy. My wife and for sure, my youngest (21) would have put him in his place instantly. You are a woodworker and I am glad to see your posts every time! Keep up the good work.

Nice way to deal with him woodworker Angie… Agree fully with your statements with the possible exception of your “thinking about attending” a class if he paid for it, the materials, and your time… Would personally not need to think very long on that, happily take minimum wage to learn some new techniques :P Thanks for sharing the experience… All the best…